Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter has noticeably improved his game, developing into a key cog for the Wizards this season.
In the eyes of many fans, Porter will be in contention for the Most Improved Player Award if he keeps performing at this kind of level. Porter, after averaging 11.6 points per game on 47% shooting last season, has averaged 14.3 points on 55% shooting this season.
Coming into the league, concerns surrounding Porter focused primarily on his inability to shoot the ball. He struggled in limited time during his rookie season, shooting 36% from the field and 19% from beyond.
His shooting percentages have steadily risen in every year that he’s been in the league, something that opponents should be fearful of when considering how good of a defender he is. Porter is well-liked, respected, and beloved within the Washington community.
It’s these kinds of players that Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks loves, which raises a key question: Does Brooklyn pursue him next summer in free agency?
Brian Lewis of the New York Post examines:
Otto Porter, who had 12 points and four boards, is set to be a restricted free agent. The feeling in Washington is the Wizards small forward will be of interest to Nets general manager Sean Marks, who is 0-3 trying to land restricted free agents.
Sean Marks has helped change Brooklyn’s culture and identify for the better since joining the team, and will continue to look towards the future for this team.
Otto Porter perfectly fits the description of a player that Marks would be interested in: A young, talented and respectful individual with a bright future.
This situation is certainly worth monitoring as July nears.
